Your file is only high resolution at a certain size.

Any file can be shrunk in size enough to make it high resolution. "Resolution" is simply a count of how many pixels a file contains in a given area (typically, a count of pixels per inch or ppi).

So is your photo high res? You can only answer this when you know how large it needs to be printed. Every raster image is made up of a grid of pixels. Pack more of them into a given area and the resolution increases (higher resolution). Spread those pixels out over a larger area (a larger print) and the resolution (count of pixels in every inch) drops.

Here's a method for figuring this out:

Open the file in an image editor (Photoshop, Lightroom, etc.)

Find out the pixel dimensions:

In Photoshop, go to Image -> Image Size

The image's pixel dimensions are shown in red. Divide these numbers by the desired output resolution. For example, the above image shows the resolution to be 176.825 ppi at 24.25 x 16.106 inches:

Dividing by a different resolution will yield a different output size. For example, if you need the image to be high resoluion you should divide by 300. Note that the output size drops accordingly (below). We're simply packing more of the available pixels into every inch:

Resolution

large format: generally 150 ppi at output size is good for large format posters

digital and press: try to provide 300ppi at output size

fine art and photography prints: 300ppi will giev the best quality and detail

Do not bump up image resolution beyond 300ppi unless the image is intended for enlargement. If you're not sure about how resolution works, call us.

File format

Whenever possible, provide us with a PDF. Microsoft formats (Publisher, Word, Powerpoint) are very difficult to print from. Please export to PDF and check to ensure that the PDF looks exactlyhow you want it before you send it to us.

Vector Graphics

Raster Graphics

Image is created by

Capable of spot colours?

Technically yes, but not without difficulty and only in some file formats.

Capable of RGB and CMYK colours?

Yes

Yes

Good for photos?

No

Yes

Good for logos?

Yes

No. Raster files are quite bad for logos.

Typical file formats

AI, EPS, PDF, SVG

JPEG, PSD, TIF, PNG

Scalable to any size?

Yes

No

So which one is better?

Neither. They both have their uses. A photo should be stored as a pixel-based format such as TIF and JPEG, but when a logo is stored in these formats serious limitations are placed on its ability to be scaled, printed and used in general. A logo should be stored as a vector file.

Can I just re-save the file into a vector format?

No, that's impossible. In order for a raster file to be made into a vector file it needs to be re-drawn or traced. A computer can do this (Adobe Illustrator has this ability) but it can only do a nice job under certain conditions. Normally a human will need to do this process using some vector tools. Simply re-saving your image as an AI, EPS or PDF will not convert your file into vector data.

Still confused?

Every image has a shape. Some are square, most are rectangular. Aspect ratio is simply a description of the image's width and height. This is most often expressed as a ratio such as 4:5, 16:9 and so on. This can express length:width or width:length, depending on whether the image is oriented to portrait or landscape.

Aspect ratio and resolution describe different things about a file. Aspect ratio and resolution are related (one describes the numerical relationship between the length and width, the other measures how many pixels per inch are available) but they are not the same thing.

Square

Every square image, regardless of its size, has an aspect ratio of 1:1. That means that the length of the image is exactly the same as its width. That's what we mean when we say "square".

Rectangles

Most photos come off the camera as some sort of rectangular shape. Common aspect ratios are 4:5 and 16:9.

Cropped images

If you crop your own images without paying attention to aspect ratio, it is very likely you'll end up with a non-standard size that will require custom framing. We are capable of printing most non-standard sizes without any trouble at all; but be aware that when you reach framing stage you may encounter some trouble with standard frames.

So what aspect ratio should I use?

That depends. What size print do you want? If you want a 12" x 12" (square) print, you need to crop the file to be square. If you want an 8" x 10", there's no use in sending us a long panoramic photo or a square photo. Common aspect ratios are below.

Spot colour is made up of whatever inks are chosen or the job. Typically designers will use a black ink plus one, two or more 'spot' inks. We create one press plate per colour, and these are each printed in turn to create the finished image. True spot colour printing can only be done on a press, but many digital devices (inkjet and digital printers, for example) are able to emulate spot colours. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spot_color

Digital

This is perfect for short-run colour or black/white productions. Manuals, reports, menus, brochures, postcards, art cards, and so much more. Digital prints use dry toner and can print to a very large variety of papers.

Offset Press

Offset is the workhorse of the print world. We have four offset presses, with capabilities from one colour, two colour and full (four) colour. Offset is used for envelopes, forms, posters, fliers, stationery, tickets and much more.

Large Format

Large format opens the doors for banners, fine art, photography, exhibits, maps, blueprints and so many more projects. We are capable of high quality art and photography printing using pigment inks. One other large format equipment, we can quickly run black/white plans and blueprints.

We can print almost any size you require. But here's the catch: it depends on other aspects of the job, such as production method (press, digital, large format), print stock (sheet size and roll widths) and other factors.

In general:

Press-run pieces need to be smaller than a 12" x 18" area.

Digital pieces needs to be smaller than a 12" x 18" area.

Large-format must have one edge that is 44" or smaller.

This is only a summary. Give us a call and we'll be happy to discuss our capabilities with you.

Copyright law protects everyone's interests: authors, painters, artists, sculptors. It's in everyone's interest to see the law upheld. Please don't ask us to reproduce something illegally; you're asking us to break the law.

There are some things we won't print

We understand that the world of art is diverse and sometimes makes audiences feel uncomfortable. However, we reserve the right to refuse to print art and photography that is pornographic, exploitive, racist or derogatory.

FAQs

Testimonials

Leona McEwen

2013-07-11, 03:31

The quality of their work is excellent and their customer service is most efficient and friendly. I have always been more than satisfied with … read more

The quality of their work is excellent and their customer service is most efficient and friendly. I have always been more than satisfied with everything they have done for me. They have made perfectly color matched copies of my girls’ art work, made greeting cards with matching envelopes, copied entire books, sent faxes and much more! Most of the time they are willing to do the work right away while I wait, and for the bigger more time consuming orders, the waiting time is minimal. Their prices are also very reasonable.